4 UAE teachers to get US space training
dubai — Teaching often has the best impact when it goes beyond the four walls of a classroom and software and aerospace solutions firm Honeywell is keen on ensuring that happens.
The American company is sending four UAE-based teachers to take part in the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) held at the US Space and Rocket Centre in June.
The four teachers were honoured at a special Flight Suit Ceremony at this year’s Think Science Connect fair at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Buthaina Abandah from Applied Technology High School, Abu Dhabi, Lara Chouman from Al Ittihad Private School in Dubai, Ghaleb Wahbi from Al Khaleej National School in Dubai and Siji Sudhakaran from the Abu Dhabi Indian School Branch 1 in Al Wathba are the lucky teachers.
Created by Honeywell and the USSRC in 2004, HESA is a scholarship programme that inspires middle school math and science teachers to become more effective educators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). During the five-day, all expenses paid training, educators learn how to reinvigorate their classrooms with ideas, lessons, and other materials to create an unforgettable learning experience for the next generation of scientists in the UAE.
The four UAE-based teachers were recognised at the ceremony by Don Thomas, Nasa astronaut (retired); Dr Deborah Barnhart, CEO of the US Space & Rocket Center; Kerry Kennedy, director of Honeywell Global Corporate Citizenship, as well as representatives from Emirates Foundation.
Since 2004, more than 3 million students have been reached and inspired by 2,776 math and science HESA alumni from 56 countries.